Arch support



Oct. 16, 1928. 1,687,9l6

F. WOLF ARCH SUPPORT Filed July 7, 1925 INVENTO/i ATIDRNE Y.

Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

UNITED STATES k i '11587316 PATENT OFFICE.-

FRANK WOLF, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

'ARGH snrron' Application filed "July 7, 1323. Serial Ne, 649396.

rigid on a line extendi'ng transversely otits' central portion; v

The invention has'for its Object also to provide an arch 'supportfleXible longitudially and rigid transversely' of its Centra portion,with a* cushion pad of yielding material. V

With 'the foregoing and other objects in View, hereinafter stated, theinvention consists ot` the novel Construction, combinatiom andarrangenient of parts hereina'fter more specifically stated andillustrated in the aceompzinyine drawings, Wherein is shown a device andmodifications thereof einbodying the structure of the invention in itspreferred form, but it is to be understoodthat changes, variations, andmodifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In describing the invention in detail, reterence is had to theaccompanying drawings which form a part of this specificationt andwherein like characters ofreference indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein: i

Fig. is a plan of the underside of an arch support embodying theinvention;

Fiat 2 is a plan of a supporting' plate provided with means forretaining a cushion p e Fig. 3 is a front perspective of the tread oi acushion pad for the bearing plate;

Fig. 4: is a 'front perspective of the upper side of the cushion padshown in Fie 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan of pneunatie cushion pad substantially similar inOutline to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

, 6 is a central section taken on. the line (-G of Fi s'. 5.

As illustrated in the drawinrs, thearch support is provided with aholding; or supporting member 1, the main portion of which` may be oi'any suitable Outline adapted to be readily placed and maintained withina shoe.

i Asupporting plate 2 is Secured to the undersideof the member l bymeans of rivets 3, passing through .said plate and member` and isprovided 'with extensions 4 having 'their free ends hearing against theunderside of the member 1.

The supporting plate is made of fiexible material, preferably metal, andis .bendable within limits longitudlnally of its length in order tOfllClin produelng a yielding movement responsive to thepressure on the. footp of the user.

The supporting plate a fiange 5 curved upwardly from the plane of thesupporting plate laterally thereof, so

as to bear againstthe side of the arch of the foot of the user, andprovide a support therefor. The flangeis so shaped as to make theportion adjacent 'thereto and transversely thereof rigid so that whilethe supporting plate has a'fiexible or movable action in the directionof its length` produced largely by the extensions 4, the centraltransverse portion of the plate is infiexible, and bears unifornlyagainst the side of the foot of the user. This rigidity is such that itcauses the 'central part of the plate to press against and upw'ardlytowardsthe arch, and

such that the vertical part of the rigid 'plate presses inwardly towardsthe arch. In other words, the plate supports the areh upwardly andinwardly. `This is maintained during the pres'sure of the foot on theplate, which pressure causes the plate tovgive longitudinally but doesnot. break down the plate because of its rigidity; and hence even with ais also provided with,

depressed longitudinal plate, the tmnsverse rigidity holds the archupwardly and inwardly. This cooperation gives a yieldable Support andstill prevents the ,arch from breaking down. e

' The undersurface of the supporting plate as shown in Fig. 1, is alsoprovided with a retaining flange 6, corresponding in contour with theouter margin of a cushion pad 7 and ofi'set from the plane of thesupporta ing plate 2 so as to form a curved recess within which theouter margin of the cushion is retained. The retaining flange 6 may beSecured to the plate in any'suitable manner, such as by Welding. Theflange 6 is substantially semi-circular and disposed at the middleportion of the plate and is open at one side to receive the rubbercushion block or pad 7. The flange 6, therefore holds the plate fromflexing on a longitudinal aXis, but as the plate extends, at oppos'teends beyond the flange 6 the end's of the plate are permitted to flex011 a transverse aXis.

The cushion 7, in nosti nstances, is madeflexible, preferably byconstructing it of rubber, in the form ot' sponge rubber or otherwisealthough in sone instances it may be formed of leather or other suitablematerial. lVhen .tormed ot' rubber-. the cushion will have a limitedyieldng Capacity by Virtue ofits own resilience, but when made of'leather, or even in some instances, When.

made of rubber,. the cushi'on can be provided;

port ions, and such portions may be arran 'ed transversely of theoushion, as,shown in ig. 3, or extend longitudinally thereof asindicated at 9 in l., 'such cutaaway portions serve to augment, theyieldability of the rubber.

l/Vhen a cushion padis desired' having` an eflicieut yielding Capacity,:tor use in shoes worn by persons requrngas. much footease as possible acushion 110 may be made of rubber and provided with a hollow interi'or11 as indicatedl in Fig. 6, and also, With amargnal. edge-similar to thecushon 7. adapt-ed to be retained within the, recess.

on the market, nay be used', but; the com-v bination of a heel with anarch support is believed to. be novel.

What' I, claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An arch support comprising a support plate providedwith yieldingends, a rgid fiange projecting downwardly from the central* portion ofsaid plate and curved substantially seni-circular, said fiange maintaining the 'plate from fiexing about a longitudinal axis and permittingthe ends of the plate to fieX on a. transverse axis, and a pad havingedges fitted into said flangee and lying, against the under side. and;central. portion of said plater i e 2. An arch support comprising. asupport plate provided with arelatively wide central portion. andinarrow end. portions at. opposite.

ends, of! the central' portion,` a substantia lly seini-circular fiangecarred upon the lower side of theplate. andlprojecting down wargdly u i'in overhangng relation relatively to the plate., and apad having, anedge portion: fittng into said flange to, hold thepad against the underside of the plate, said fiange hol-ding: the central portiom of. theplate "against fiexing on a longitudinal a-Xis and permitting the freefiexing of said end portiozns` ot' the plote.. e

3 An. arch support' comprising a: support,

plate provided with yielding, ends, retan i ing means oarried. upon` thecentral-:portion of the. plate at. it's under, side. and compris--inggripping means disposed sub'stantia lly* semi-ciroul-arly on the`plate,. and' pad fit-- ting against, the under side; of the; pla-te andhaving an' edge portion adaptedi'to fitintoi said retaining means forclamping the; pad: against the pla-te to support thelatter and;reinforce the plateagainst fiexing: on a: longitud inael axisbut: pernitting the* free flening of the `ends ost the plate; V

In: testi nony that I cl'aimz the foregoing as' my invention-, l havesigned ;1113 rra-nie hereunder.

FRANK

